CUBS ON BRINK UNLESS LEADERS CAN BE FOUND

A FINCHAMPSTEAD cub group founded more than 20 years ago will close unless new leaders can be found.

This year the group should be celebrating 85 years of scouting in the village, but the spirits of youngsters from the 1st Finchampstead cub pack have been dampened as both their cub leaders have left leaving no-one to run the pack.

Nancy Savage, group leader for beavers, cubs and scouts in Finchampstead, said she will try to run the 1st Finchampstead pack with the help of two volunteers until Easter, but fears that unless people come forward soon she will have to close the Tuesday night club leaving its 25 members "utterly devastated".

She said: "We have 25 boys who love coming to cubs and more than 50 on the waiting list — that's 80 boys who will be utterly devastated if we have to close.

"We still have a couple of parents who volunteer and help out, but I cannot continue to keep the pack going unless we replace the two leaders who left just over a month ago.

"Scouting has been in Finchampstead for 85 years this year and I can't believe that just because of a lack of people who are willing to come forward to help we will have to close.

"All we need is for one or two people to give a few hours a week and it will save our pack and make a lot of young boys very happy."

Last month two members of the 1st Finchampstead cubs, Daniel McGill, 10, and William Shillibier, nine, received their Chief Scout Silver Awards, which is the highest award in cubs in recognition of their commitment to scouting.

Wokingham Scouts District has more than 750 members and the scout movement currently has more than 500,000 members in the UK.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a cub leader at the 1st Finchampstead cub group can receive training while in the job.

Mrs Savage added: "Scouting is all about having fun and that's what we do.

"It's an enjoyable job and we go on outings, go bowling, have music evenings and get involved in all kinds of activities.

"Whoever comes on board will have lots of fun too."

If you are interested, then contact Mrs Savage on (0118) 973 0863 or e-mail 1st.finchampstead@wokinghamscouts.org.uk.

For other scouting opportunities in Wokingham district visit www.wokinghamscouts.org.uk